​North Korea: Italy expresses solidarity to Japan for the consequences of Pyongyang’s behaviour

“Italy is following with the greatest attention the evolution of the situation in the Korean Peninsula. Yet another very serious violation of multiple Security Council resolutions is a factor that destabilises peace and security in the region and the world over. It is also affecting the global non-proliferation regime. Tensions now are escalating, causing unforeseeable implications, not only in the Peninsula but in a much larger area,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, to his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, during a telephone conversation that was dominated by the North Korean dossier. It was a first dialogue opportunity between Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Japan’s new head of diplomacy, Taro Kono, since his appointment to the post in August.”Pyongyang must immediately abandon the development of its nuclear and missile programme in a total, verifiable and irreversible fashion. It must put an end to its course towards self-isolation and stop challenging the International Community,” continued Alfano. He also pointed out that Italy, which currently holds the G7 rotating Presidency and chairs the Security Council’s DPRK Sanctions Committee, “maintains and will continue to maintain that a common and unified response can play a key role. It also encourages the Security Council to adopt new sanctions.”Alfano has confirmed to Japan’s Foreign Minister that Italy is also committed to strengthening measures within the EU as a means to put pressure on Pyongyang.The Minister of Foreign Affairs reconfirmed to his Japanese colleague “Italy’s solidarity to Japan and the other regional partners for the consequences of the irresponsible behaviour of the regime,” saying “he would be willing to work in close coordination to monitor the situation in the Peninsula.”